The Bilawal trail is now open to public. For the visually inclined, the trail has some awesome viewings. An adorable, very young Mallikarjun Mansur, a group photograph of Krishnarao Shankar Pandit in regal repose with wife standing by side, a sassy Kesarbai Kerkar, a sharp looking Nissar Hussain Khan sporting an even sharper moustache, an intimidating Alladiya Khan, another one of Alladiya Khan in performance, a fierce Mushtaq Hussain Khan, a mellow Mogubai Kurdikar at the tanpura and so on. Omkar Nath Thakur, Gangubai Hangal, they are all present in this mehfil. Not to mention Mr P. HIMSELF.

   "Kavan Batariya Gailo Mai" brought back many childhood memories. So did the bada khayal "Daiya Kahan Gaye". And so did "Sumiran Kar Bhaja Ram Naam Ko". I once heard that there was no match for Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's rendition of "Sumiran Kara Bhaja...". Or am I confusing him with Faiyaz Khan? Now if only I could get to hear a commercial recording of "Aiju Kaal Ki Gwalan", a dhamaar also in Alhaia Bilawal. My favorite this time is a wonderful, wonderful sound clip of  Mallikarjun Mansur's Alhaia Bilawal, perhaps one of his earliest recordings. I assume it is very rare. And his many other recordings on the variants of Bilawal most of which are quite commonly available. Kumar Gandharva's "Laita Jai Jyo" is out of this world but I am partial to KG.  Mogubai, Gangubai, Kesarbai, Malini Rajurkar (very nice) and Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, there are many lovely pieces.

Great photographs, great music at: